Crime and Criminal Behavior - Assignment Example

Crime and Criminal Behavior The theory/disorder that will be discussed in this essay is the psychiatric criminology also known as forensic psychiatry.Psychopath, sociopath, antisocial and asocial personality1. What are the components of the theory/disorder? “Forensic psychiatry is the branch of psychiatry that deals with issues arising in the interface between psychiatry and the law, and with the flow of mentally disordered offenders along a continuum of social systems”[Jul06]. One of the components of the theory/disorder is that most criminalsdo not know the reason for their behaviors[TSS07].

Moreover, their actions are influenced by unconscious forces that are within the person[TSS07]. Some concepts that fall under forensic psychiatry are psychopathy, sociopathy and antisocial personality. Psychopathy is a personality disorder which involves“deception; manipulation; irresponsibility; impulsivity; stimulation seeking; poor behavioral controls; shallow affect; lack of empathy, guilt, or remorse; sexual promiscuity; callous disregard for the rights of others; and unethical and antisocial behaviors”(Babiak, Folino, & Hancock, et al, 2012) Like psychopathy, sociopathy is a personality disorder where the person lacks social responsibility and does not adapt to the ethical and social standards of society [Far13].

Antisocial personality is a “chronic mental illness in which a person's ways of thinking, perceiving situations and relating to others are abnormal — and destructive”[May10].2. Who discovered/defined the theory/disorder? Hervey M. Cleckley is one of the pioneers of forensic psychiatry, specifically in the field of psychopathy[IMD13]. Cleckley describes a psychopath as “someone who has only a very superficial sense of beauty/ugliness and only the most elementary understanding of the basic concepts of goodness, evil, love, horror, and humor”[IMD13].3. Is the disorder widely recognized as a medical condition?

Yes, forensic psychiatry is widely recognized as a medical condition. In fact, it is studied in relation to civil law and issues of criminal responsibility[Kar08]. The disorder has also been used to define legal insanity[Jul06]. 4. What treatments are available to treat the disorder? Treatmentsavailable for forensic psychiatry are coercive treatments. One of these treatments is seclusion, wherein the patient isplaced alone in a room or cell [Haw11]. Another treatment being given to patients of forensic psychiatry is the use of emergency intra-muscular medication which is considered a chemical restraint(Haw, et al, 2011).

Haloperidol and chlorpromazine are some examples of medicines which are given during emergency situations (Haw, et al, 2011). 5. Do you think that these treatments would prevent or inhibit the link with criminal behavior? Why or why not? The use of coercive treatments often makes patients feel traumatized (Haw, et al, 2011). One thinks that instead of inhibiting criminal behavior, it may even encourage such behavior. However for those violent patients, one believes that seclusion may be a good alternative as it will prevent the patient from hurting others or himself (Haw, et al, 2011).6. How do you think a person diagnosed with the disorder who continues to exhibit criminal behavior should be dealt with?

One thinks that a person diagnosed with the disorder should be allowed to choose the treatment that he prefers. This may result in more cooperation from the patient; thus, there is an increased possibility of positive treatment outcomes (Haw, et al, 2011). ReferencesJul06: , (Arboleda-Florez, 2006), TSS07: , (Sathyanarayana, 2007), Far13: , (Farlex, Inc., 2013), May10: , (Mayo Foundation, 2010), IMD13: , (IMDb.com, Inc, 2013), Kar08: , (Lotter, 2008), Haw11: , (Haw, Stubbs, Bickle, & Stewart, 2011),